I paired my guitars down. Now I only have one bass, one orchestra model acoustic for fingerstyle, one dreadnought acoustic for flatpicking, one electric with humbuckers and one with single coils. I have the full spectrum of sounds I need, but I still find myself wanting more… Once I have more space and more money, I think I will buy more. I agonised over it for a long time, but I realised that they’re my number one hobby and they bring me a lot of pleasure. I can see it’s the same for you man, and people watching this video too. Guitars are our thing, and what’s better than a box of toys? That’s right… a bigger box of toys 👍 Don’t sell your guitars dude
I play mainly acoustic and as such I’ve finally managed to get the three I really need to have: a dreadnought, a twelve string and a nylon string. Plus I’ve stated down the whole electric rabbit hole with a Gretsch Jet. Gotta have filter trons. And the p/u:s on the Jazzmaster aren’t P90s, they’re jazzmasters. When non-guitarists question why I have so many guitars I reply “I don’t even have one of each kind.”
I know they aren't P90s initially but I put in Lollar P90 Jazzmaster pickups on my Jazzmaster specifically. Real Jazzmaster Single Coil pickups are very different from P90s. Good catch though, I should be more clear. 🙂 Never tried filtertrons! How are they?
@@alexradsby sneaky swap! I'll say this for filtertrons, they don't apologize for themselves. If you like the bite of a tele bridge, you owe it to yourself to try filtertrons. They are ruthless! Definition and clarity for days, but being dual-coils, they are quiet. They generally have a low DC resistance which translates to fewer winds, which in turn translates to less treble roll-off. To make up for that they have very strong magnets, so the output shouldn't be an issue. These days there are lots of variations to cater for different priorities. Now bear in mind that I'm a newbie in electric land and my Gretsch is an Electromatic which is middle-of-the line. That said, go try some! Malcolm Young, Chet Atkins and Julian Lage all agree they're great, so how can you go wrong?
Makes total sense. They do seem interesting! Scary that I can't hide too haha. Teles are quite the same way, no frills guitar, exposes your playing quickly haha. I'll see if I can find a filtertron guitar to try out. Im assuming Gretch is the way to go.
I have a Martin dreadnought and Les Paul goldtop. Changing the strings and maintaining multiple guitars is hard to justify when you only play at home. I recently built a tele with a Warmoth neck. When I figured out I would have to get the stainless steel frets leveled, etc..., I cut my loses and sold it. Also, space is an issue. I live in an apartment. More than a few guitars (with cases, amp, cables, pedals) can take up a lot of space! So, for me, 1 acoustic and 1 electric is ideal.
Definitely good picks! I love both Martins & Les Pauls. I've noticed that a lot of the stainless steel warmoth necks are more problematic than the nickel ones. I also live in an apartment, a bigger one though, still, guitars take up a lot of space haha. 😂
I got my first guitar around the early 90s and By 2001 I think I was on my 9th or 10thh guitar. When craigslist came along in the early 2000s, I found myself buying/selling/trading new gear nearly every week (sometimes a new guitar every day). It becomes an addiction or what is known as (GAS) Guitar-Acquisition syndrome. The issue is, you'll buy a guitar, then look to upgrade it until you either find something else and trade for it, sell it to make room, or just keep it and possibly play it once in a while. I have had multiple Gibsons, Taylors, Martins and found I'll gravitate to just one or two guitars mainly when I gig. So bottom line, I agree, 2-3 guitars for most people, but if people love collecting, no limits. 1. Main Gigging guitar 2. Backup guitar for gigs 3. Backup to the backup 4-Infinity Sitting pretty Nice Burny by the way!
I love the idea of downsizing. I currently have 4. Humbucker + single coil and two acoustics but one of them is made of 100% carbon fiber. I'm toying the idea of getting rid of my humbucker and carbon fiber but man I love how the latter is impervious to anything. I could probably throw that in the pool and the guitar wouldn't care. If push comes to shove, I think I need three. My current high end acoustic, my current cheap SSS strat which can serve as a travel guitar since I can just take off the neck and reassemble it and probably another single coil, either an HSS or some kind of coil split.
From Leo: Music Man guitars always feel and play nice. 52 guitars is the perfect number. That great feeling of getting a new guitar lasts about a week. With 52, put them on a schedule and every Monday, select the next one on the list. If one comes up that you don't want to play, put it aside to trade away and go to the next one on the list.
I agree with two. But, for me, I'd say ideally it'd be your perfect guitar, i.e., a custom or a holy grail; and a second guitar for what the main guitar can't do.
@@alexradsby After watching a few of your videos and getting a better feel for your style I DEFINITELY think a Gretsch would suit you well. For years I was looking to get the fatness of a Gibson combined with the bright top end of a Fender. In my opinion, Gretsch is right in between the two. I’m fortunate enough to have 3 proline Gretsch guitars; 2 6120’s and a White Falcon. There are advantages to both but I tend to gravitate toward the 6120 because of the shorter scale length. I just prefer the spongier (is that a word? :) feel of the shorter scale. It’s also 16 inches at the lower bout vs the Falcon at 17 inches. This may not sound like much but it makes a big difference. Having said all that, the Falcon SOUNDS bigger and literally is physically bigger. No matter what, go with T.V. Jones pickups. In my experience they can’t be beat. I love the TV Classics as well as the Brian Setzer signature models and have owned both sets for years now.
I have 8 guitars. 2 Teles (1 classic, 1 Nashville), 2 Strats (1 SSS, 1 HSS), 2 Les Pauls (1 Humbucker, 1 P90), a Jazzmaster and an Acoustic. All of them have different pickups and serve specific tonal or play style functions. I also rotate through the guitars to make sure they see play time and that I stay fresh across the genres and songs I play.
The minimum number of solidbody electric guitars for my pallet of tonal needs is 5, stretching to 7, when semi hollow and hollowbodies are included. Don't forget to throw in a bass for good measure. I'm sit'n at 7 currently, with GAS for a P90 semi hollow. The new Chapman ML3 in Burnt Orange Sparkle has me jonesing again.
Aah haha I didn't even count in basses or acoustics. P90 semi hollow does sound really good, personally I'm looking at the Fender JA-90 Telecaster to fill that spot for me 🙂
I only have one usable guitar as of now, which is an Ibanez RG331M in Bright Orange. Found it in late-2019, got it in mid-2020, have been playing it ever since. Installed a set of SD P-Rails on it after I broke the stock bridge humbucker. Went with one of the suggested wiring for the P-Rails that lets me get 12 configurations out of the P-Rails, which is the closest thing I could get to Ibanez's Dyna-mix system, that was first introduced with the AZ line. Currently saving up for the headless Ibanez Q54 (that also has the Dyna-mix), because I want to have a guitar that is lighter and have thicker neck than my RG, and in SSH configuration. After that, probably a baritone and one of the single coils Ibanez AZES, as a modding platform. Realistically, those would probably the only guitars I ever need.
Damn that sounds pretty awesome. Ibanez are doing some beautiful things at the moment for sure! And I always wanted to try out P-Rails. They seem pretty amazing!
Yeah, the pickups are great. I was lucky I managed to get an old clearance stock set that costs considerably less, where I'm from in Malaysia. Bypassing the need to import them from North America or Europe, which the cost would surely explode in our currency. Even with the discount, I still went broke for awhile after that, ya know, typical musician cliches. 🤣
I love my 72 tele deluxe reissue, but pickups weren't cutting it after years of owning it. I put in some bare knuckle black dogs in it and now its my favorite guitar. It does the Les Paul thing but has the playability and look of a fender.
You need a hollow body guitar. I had an Epiphone 1966 Century reissue that I loved, but it had no cutaway to the higher frets, so I sold it. Now I wish I still had it. It had a great sound for Blues & the playability was great.
Hollow body woulbe interesting but usually they don't deal with distortion that well. I tend to play a lot of things on the heavier side of rock. I think semi-hollow is as far as I would go but I'm definitely willing to try full hollow bodies out. Could be interesting!
I've started selling guitars. I have to many that sound more or less the same (played on the bridge humbucker 90% of the time). For my playing (recording heavy music in my home studio) I've come to the conclusion that I need one high output and one low output humbucker guitar. A semi hollow (preferably p90) for layering and atmospheric sounds and a stratocaster (sss configuration) for THAT wdge of breakup tone plus some sick single coil fuzz-tones.
I currently own only two guitars…Music Man Stingray and Cutlass SSS. I’m constantly wrestling with what guitars I want to own in life…but over the years I’ve become very intentional. Music Man Axis and Gibson ES-335 are FOR SURES and I’m trying to only think about those two. They’ll take a long time to acquire so I try to keep others off my mind lol.
Haha its definitely difficult to decide which guitars really matters! 😅 its a journey! I've definitely made some mistakes selling guitars too that I probably should've kept 😛
Interesting clip. For the guitars you "need" I agree, humbuckers and single coil(s). But I have 8, and 7 basses (bass player first). All the basses are project guitars of some sort, all different (one is a 2 or 3 string), and 2 of the guitars are kits. I have one "decent" guitar, a PRS, and all the others are cheap/copies, and all are different so they each have their own reason to stay around. I play them all, but mostly the electrics nowadays. All the guitars and basses are great quality, especially for the prices, and the cost in total would be covered by 1 decent Gibson and 1 decent Fender. Doesn't stop me looking over the fence through, but the Gibson I think I'd like would mean selling all of them...... I look forward to seeing more of your content.
It's difficult to do a move like that for sure. And it's kind of a leap of faith as well. Personally I've landed in the camp of rather owning 1-2 expensive instruments rather than owning a lot. But that's because I've already made my journey of owning a lot of various levels of instruments. It takes time and money to be able to do such a thing and at the end it never made me a better player or songwriter 😅
i would say 3 even though i have 5. I say three because humbucker, single coil, then last a beater guitar of your choice to work on and mod. Recently i ordered a 2007 squire standard strat for 75$ and honestly it’s my favorite guitar at the moment i feel it plays better than my gibson sg standard and my fender vintera strat just ordered a kh-602 and i’m excited i hope it becomes my new favorite
3 sounds pretty good to be honest! Super cool that the Squier is your new favorite. My new video that will come later today I'll talk about my views on Squier. They are pretty awesome. 🙂
@@alexradsby cool i can’t wait to watch it and squire is great but mainly squire standard when it comes to strats i have an affinity and have had a bullet and they’re pretty eh
The video might not be what you think. I talk about why I personally don't buy squier but I really want to haha. Can't deny how awesome they are at the moment. The vid will be out in 8 hours 🙂
I definitely will! I'll try to get it out asap, havin some problems producing content at the moment but I'll get back on the horse as soon as possible. Thanks for your comment man 🙂
I highly recommend fenders usa Wide range reissue pickups for you Tele deluxe. There worlds away from the other "wide range" that comes on most of the Tele deluxe reissue guitars. There not bad pickups, but the real "reissue " pickups, built with original specs are outstanding clean or especially with gain. A little expensive at $200 + but well worth it in my opinion.
I can definitely recommend it. It's one of the best guitars I've ever owned! Svårt att hitta i Sverige bara 🙂 (just assumed you were swedish based on your name 😅)
Keep the Valentine, Stingray, then score a Gibson/SG with P-90's then you have single coil, hb, and p90 tones.... might even want a semi hollow to add to the collection. I'd say 4 guitars!
I do have a Lollar p90's in jazzmaster housing on my Jazzmaster. And I used to own a semi hollow too, a Gibson ES-333 in natural from 2004. Great guitar! I do miss semi hollow guitars though haha. 4 guitars is definitely enough for sure! 🙂
In a similar place. I need to keep 2. I'm most likely keeping 7 (plus my old Ibanez at my parents' place for when I'm in the UK). At one point I think I had 18, currently at 11. I don't bond with the body shape of traditional Strat guitars either - I've sold all 4 of mine in the last 3 years.
Haha yes this is usually the right question haha. I'm always eyeing new guitars and thinking about which the next one would be IF i were to buy another one haha 😝
@@alexradsby I do the same, even if I know that right now, I don't have even where to put another guitar... But recently I saw a Q&A with Kiko, from Megadeth, who was the first one I saw saying openly "if you can afford, buy as many as you can, try different things, and you'll find things that inspire you to create ... I have several but is also a matter of playing different genres and different tunings, so it makes sense to me... plus apart from music, design-wise, I think guitars are a beautiful piece of design... BTW, as someone mentioned, great collection you have Alex.
@@dektrimusic I am the exactly the same way. Finding your style & finding your taste is a life long process I feel. A lot of trial and error. It's important to buy & sell the right things as well. I look at used ads almost every day because of it. 😅
@@alexradsby Hey, sorry the late response...Me too, I look at used ads almost all the time... I feel like an addict person .... it's stronger than me....
me 3,: a strat, a p90 guitar and a humbucker (semi-hollow) guitar, for the music i like playing and the style of playing i enjoy, that is more than enough, obviously an acoustic needs to be there too, but deeeeeeep down, i could do just fine with a strat only but is impossible to just have one, lol
After decades of buying and selling and keeping the ones I liked the best I ended up with a strat (warmoth neck and body fender electronics) a tele, a Les Paul and a P90 Godin LG. Also an acoustic OO Simon and Patrick.
Ah very nice options for sure! I'm a sucker for a nice semi hollow as well. The SE John Mayers do look pretty great actually as well! Definitely curious about them as well!
I’ve got a jazzmaster with the same wide-range pickups your tele has and have the exact same issue. It’s a great playing guitar but the pickups just do not do it for me. Trying to decide what to put in it instead and struggling to narrow the list down!
It's definitely difficult. Though I have heard amazing things about the Lollar wide range pickups. Probably can't go wrong with those. Is your jazzmaster a modded one?
@@alexradsby no, it’s a limited run fender released about 10 years ago (I think they called it a select carved top jazzmaster). Is basically a jazzmaster bodywith 2 humbuckers, 1 volume, 1 tone and a coil split. Plays incredibly but the pickups just feel lifeless
@@alexradsby haha yeah it’s great. I got mine used for a crazy low price so that’s how I’m going to justify spending money on new pickups when I eventually decide 😂
Alex I would keep the six I have. I have 2 fender Stratocasters, 2 Telecasters, 1 Gibson Les Paul, & 1 PRS SE Mira. That’s it. I do want another Les Paul but I don’t need it……
@@alexradsby I used to have two Gibson LP Traditionals, a Faded Cherry Gibson LP Studio and a Standard. Got rid of them after a car accident in 2011. Spinal injury. They were all too damn heavy. So this is my first Gibson LP since; I got the Tribute Honey Burst (ultra modern weight relief). But I want a Gibson Goldtop LP and maybe a ES 335 copy from Larry Carlton brand I think it’s called Sire guitars. A lot cheaper than Gibson. But do I really need that many…., I do gig now that we’re getting back to normalcy with the looming pandemic. What about you; any guitar you really want to purchase at this moment?
@@dejuancampbell-music5482 Im actually looking at a very expensive boutique LP style guitar called Krautster II from Nik Huber. Very lightweight. But if I were to buy Gibson, I would probably get a Les Paul Modern maybe, I don't know. I don't deal with the weight that well either haha.
Well I have 12,Not too bad ,Ive been playing over40 years I still play my 78 tele It was my 3rd guitar .Ill play all my guitars in two weeks ,At least an hour or two on each ,But yeah If you dont play them dont be a horder,I play more now that im not in a band ,Having more fun,No more cover tunes.
I would love to play actively in a band but time won't allow for it. Its always so nice to hear music being created in a room 🙂 78 tele sounds like a dream!
hey alex, thats an impressive collection you got there. In future, would you consider doing a side- by - side comparison video of the EBMM valentine/ stingray??? now that would be killer......
I've definitely have a video like that in mind! Will look into it soon! I wished someone made a video like that when trying to decide which one of them to buy! Thanks for the input! 🙂
You don't have any acoustics??? In regard to the number of guitars I own -- in my old age I have become cheap buyer because my income is so small: Sterling by Musicman Axis HH butterscotch flame veneer. Has most of the features of a Musicman without the huge price tag - $404, Squire Paranormal Toranado HH got a big chip out of the lower bout that does not effect playability - $220, A Zuwei copy of a Fender Noventa w/ 3 P90's ~$220, A solid body Arkot silent piezo guitar - $160, A 1980s MIJ WMF Mitchell copy of a Martin D-28 bought for $239 right after Guitar Center bought the brand in 1989. For many years this was my main song writing guitar [an eBay ad places its current value at about $900], Zuwei Copy of a 1902 Martin "Slot Head" 00-45 acoustic with a Fishman preamp w/Real Mother of Pearl inlay on the headstock and finger board and bindings - $329, D'Angelico Premier Tammany with preamp - $345. This stack of guitars totals about $2100 but each guitar listed here has their own unique sound and are probably worth mor than I paid for them. There's also a 1993 Washburn D17B, A 2001Taylor 414ce and what I believe to be a 1954 Gibson J-50 which has had a rough life but it still has stories to tell. I'm not sure how much the Gibson's worth but I bought it in 1994 for $500. The Taylor is worth about $1000 and I bought the Washburn for $400 in 1994. These three guitars could easily be worth more than all of the ones in the cheap list. I also bought a Bias Peak Spark Amp [And software] so I have the ability to simulate amps, cabinets, guitars, and effects which save on what those things really will cost in money and space. Understand I'm not really a guitarist - I'm a lyricist but having so many "unique" instruments to use opens sonic and storytelling horizons.
I do have acoustics, I just forgot them haha. Maybe I should talk about them too, but I have no way of recording them well yet 🙂 This is pretty interesting to me, I always have the discussion about budget friendly instruments and if it's worth buying them in the long run. I am planning a video to talk about it actually because I've always chosen the more mid/high end route but your collection seem to be very well thought out! Would love to see shots of your guitars!
@@alexradsby I'd like to see that. Guitars [and music] are a way to express ourselves. Most of us will never ever be paid or recognized for what we do... we'll never be famous. I know a Grammy winner who I went to high school with, I did a production with an actor who played Johnny Cash in a broadway musical about the "$1,000,000 dollar jam session" [Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash]. I had a friend who worked as a guitar player and composer for Disney who called me a "Songwriter's Songwriter". Did that make me rich or famous? Heck no. I've been writing songs for over 50 years and the one thing I've learned is to find joy in what I do and in those times when I perform. All of those guitars on my "cheap list" do just that. So the instruments we play need not only be "playable" but bring us joy when we play. Even if its just playing for ourselves or playing for others. Have you ever felt that when you were playing? The music sweeps you away to a place that makes you feel awe and joy? That is what it is really about. It does not really matter what the price tag of the instrument is--- if one can't do that then it's time to sell your gear and move on. Yes I have a pile of fire wood / junk guitars... and ones that will be playable if I invest the time [A 1993 MIM Squire HSS Stratocaster which I just installed locking tuners on. and an Squire Affinity Parts-caster for which I just bought a loaded HSH pickguard] but I'm not really in any hurry to get those put together as I am not at a loss for instruments to play. The bottom line is not the price tag but the way the instrument makes you feel. I've been pretty lucky in that regards hopefully that will continue.
@@dvusGishzida Thats a beautiful answer. I do feel that, its the thing I look for now. How it feels to pick up and play, thats really all that matters.
Oh man, I am currently wrestling with this very question! So I actually spent the majority of my guitar playing life with only 2 guitars, a LP and a Japanese Strat and then in the last few years I picked up a Revstar, Epi 335, EBMM Stingray & a Valentine. Since the EBMM's I just can't get them out of my head and now I'm looking at an Albert Lee MM90! I'm keen for something outside of my usual and hope it will inspire some different playing. So yeah, I'm trying to justify BUT I think I've realised it's not about what I need, it's what I 'want' haha. You have to enjoy yourself with the time you have right!
Haha I've started to have the same mentality as I gotten older. I spent money on the things I want for sure. Ive waited long enough haha 😛 the albert lee guitars looks super cool!
No good acoustic ? Every guitarist needs a good acoustic . Just me but I love to play acoustic for some stuff . But you got some awesome guitars there bro , especially like your telecasters.
Thanks man! I have acoustics, I just don't talk about them. Mainly because I have no good way of recording them yet. My main acoustic is a Martin 000-15m 🙂
@@alexradsbyTotally 👍🙂 Primarily Bass player, but 2 6 string electric, 2 6 string acoustic (1 is a travel) 9 Basses, 1 is 12 string, 1 is acoustic, rest are 4 string I do play once a week with my band Jerito Down Low But mostly playing at home , a few key rigs, I try to play them all in kinda rotation style. I see them all as useful and works of art in a way Enjoy your videos Man Very cool Lucky 13 is the number, oh shit, I need one more for luck!!
I paired my guitars down. Now I only have one bass, one orchestra model acoustic for fingerstyle, one dreadnought acoustic for flatpicking, one electric with humbuckers and one with single coils. I have the full spectrum of sounds I need, but I still find myself wanting more… Once I have more space and more money, I think I will buy more. I agonised over it for a long time, but I realised that they’re my number one hobby and they bring me a lot of pleasure. I can see it’s the same for you man, and people watching this video too. Guitars are our thing, and what’s better than a box of toys? That’s right… a bigger box of toys 👍
Don’t sell your guitars dude
I play mainly acoustic and as such I’ve finally managed to get the three I really need to have: a dreadnought, a twelve string and a nylon string. Plus I’ve stated down the whole electric rabbit hole with a Gretsch Jet. Gotta have filter trons. And the p/u:s on the Jazzmaster aren’t P90s, they’re jazzmasters. When non-guitarists question why I have so many guitars I reply “I don’t even have one of each kind.”
I know they aren't P90s initially but I put in Lollar P90 Jazzmaster pickups on my Jazzmaster specifically. Real Jazzmaster Single Coil pickups are very different from P90s. Good catch though, I should be more clear. 🙂
Never tried filtertrons! How are they?
@@alexradsby sneaky swap! I'll say this for filtertrons, they don't apologize for themselves. If you like the bite of a tele bridge, you owe it to yourself to try filtertrons. They are ruthless! Definition and clarity for days, but being dual-coils, they are quiet. They generally have a low DC resistance which translates to fewer winds, which in turn translates to less treble roll-off. To make up for that they have very strong magnets, so the output shouldn't be an issue. These days there are lots of variations to cater for different priorities. Now bear in mind that I'm a newbie in electric land and my Gretsch is an Electromatic which is middle-of-the line. That said, go try some! Malcolm Young, Chet Atkins and Julian Lage all agree they're great, so how can you go wrong?
Makes total sense. They do seem interesting! Scary that I can't hide too haha. Teles are quite the same way, no frills guitar, exposes your playing quickly haha. I'll see if I can find a filtertron guitar to try out. Im assuming Gretch is the way to go.
@@alexradsby om du har vägarna förbi Gävle får du låna min.
@@migrantfamily Visste inte att du var svensk! Mycket möjligt att jag har vägarna förbi där någon gång, har vänner som bor i Gävle. 🙂
I own 54 and still want more!
Damn dude! Du you have a favorite at all? 😅
😧
I have a Martin dreadnought and Les Paul goldtop. Changing the strings and maintaining multiple guitars is hard to justify when you only play at home. I recently built a tele with a Warmoth neck. When I figured out I would have to get the stainless steel frets leveled, etc..., I cut my loses and sold it. Also, space is an issue. I live in an apartment. More than a few guitars (with cases, amp, cables, pedals) can take up a lot of space! So, for me, 1 acoustic and 1 electric is ideal.
Definitely good picks! I love both Martins & Les Pauls. I've noticed that a lot of the stainless steel warmoth necks are more problematic than the nickel ones.
I also live in an apartment, a bigger one though, still, guitars take up a lot of space haha. 😂
I got my first guitar around the early 90s and By 2001 I think I was on my 9th or 10thh guitar. When craigslist came along in the early 2000s, I found myself buying/selling/trading new gear nearly every week (sometimes a new guitar every day). It becomes an addiction or what is known as (GAS) Guitar-Acquisition syndrome. The issue is, you'll buy a guitar, then look to upgrade it until you either find something else and trade for it, sell it to make room, or just keep it and possibly play it once in a while. I have had multiple Gibsons, Taylors, Martins and found I'll gravitate to just one or two guitars mainly when I gig. So bottom line, I agree, 2-3 guitars for most people, but if people love collecting, no limits.
1. Main Gigging guitar
2. Backup guitar for gigs
3. Backup to the backup
4-Infinity Sitting pretty
Nice Burny by the way!
Makes total sense! How many do you own now? 🙂
I love the idea of downsizing. I currently have 4. Humbucker + single coil and two acoustics but one of them is made of 100% carbon fiber. I'm toying the idea of getting rid of my humbucker and carbon fiber but man I love how the latter is impervious to anything. I could probably throw that in the pool and the guitar wouldn't care. If push comes to shove, I think I need three. My current high end acoustic, my current cheap SSS strat which can serve as a travel guitar since I can just take off the neck and reassemble it and probably another single coil, either an HSS or some kind of coil split.
From Leo: Music Man guitars always feel and play nice. 52 guitars is the perfect number. That great feeling of getting a new guitar lasts about a week. With 52, put them on a schedule and every Monday, select the next one on the list. If one comes up that you don't want to play, put it aside to trade away and go to the next one on the list.
You might have the right idea haha, that's awesome! 😝
I agree with two.
But, for me, I'd say ideally it'd be your perfect guitar, i.e., a custom or a holy grail; and a second guitar for what the main guitar can't do.
Yes that makes sense. I still haven't got my hands on my own custom. It would be sweet to do it at some point for sure.
EVERYONE should have a GRETSCH of some kind! My favorite is the 6120, but you can’t go wrong with any Gretsch. Love the channel, keep it up!
Definitely worth checking out then 🙂
@@alexradsby After watching a few of your videos and getting a better feel for your style I DEFINITELY think a Gretsch would suit you well. For years I was looking to get the fatness of a Gibson combined with the bright top end of a Fender. In my opinion, Gretsch is right in between the two. I’m fortunate enough to have 3 proline Gretsch guitars; 2 6120’s and a White Falcon. There are advantages to both but I tend to gravitate toward the 6120 because of the shorter scale length. I just prefer the spongier (is that a word? :) feel of the shorter scale. It’s also 16 inches at the lower bout vs the Falcon at 17 inches. This may not sound like much but it makes a big difference. Having said all that, the Falcon SOUNDS bigger and literally is physically bigger. No matter what, go with T.V. Jones pickups. In my experience they can’t be beat. I love the TV Classics as well as the Brian Setzer signature models and have owned both sets for years now.
I agree with that number. One single coil, one humbucker, plus any with notable sentimental value.
Ah that's definitely enough for sure! Which guitars would you pick? 🙂
I have 8 guitars. 2 Teles (1 classic, 1 Nashville), 2 Strats (1 SSS, 1 HSS), 2 Les Pauls (1 Humbucker, 1 P90), a Jazzmaster and an Acoustic. All of them have different pickups and serve specific tonal or play style functions. I also rotate through the guitars to make sure they see play time and that I stay fresh across the genres and songs I play.
Dude that sounds so damn awesome! Well done sir! Well done 🙂
The minimum number of solidbody electric guitars for my pallet of tonal needs is 5, stretching to 7, when semi hollow and hollowbodies are included. Don't forget to throw in a bass for good measure. I'm sit'n at 7 currently, with GAS for a P90 semi hollow. The new Chapman ML3 in Burnt Orange Sparkle has me jonesing again.
Aah haha I didn't even count in basses or acoustics. P90 semi hollow does sound really good, personally I'm looking at the Fender JA-90 Telecaster to fill that spot for me 🙂
"people only need two guitars"..........."here's the six i'm keeping". :D spoken like a fellow gear junkie
I came in determined to keep 2 and buckled when I realized I love all of them haha 😂
I only have one usable guitar as of now, which is an Ibanez RG331M in Bright Orange. Found it in late-2019, got it in mid-2020, have been playing it ever since. Installed a set of SD P-Rails on it after I broke the stock bridge humbucker. Went with one of the suggested wiring for the P-Rails that lets me get 12 configurations out of the P-Rails, which is the closest thing I could get to Ibanez's Dyna-mix system, that was first introduced with the AZ line.
Currently saving up for the headless Ibanez Q54 (that also has the Dyna-mix), because I want to have a guitar that is lighter and have thicker neck than my RG, and in SSH configuration.
After that, probably a baritone and one of the single coils Ibanez AZES, as a modding platform. Realistically, those would probably the only guitars I ever need.
Damn that sounds pretty awesome. Ibanez are doing some beautiful things at the moment for sure! And I always wanted to try out P-Rails. They seem pretty amazing!
Yeah, the pickups are great. I was lucky I managed to get an old clearance stock set that costs considerably less, where I'm from in Malaysia. Bypassing the need to import them from North America or Europe, which the cost would surely explode in our currency. Even with the discount, I still went broke for awhile after that, ya know, typical musician cliches. 🤣
Haha yeah I feel you bro! 😅 damn pickups are expensive overall. Easier for me of course being in Europe but buying from the US is expensive as hell.
I love my 72 tele deluxe reissue, but pickups weren't cutting it after years of owning it. I put in some bare knuckle black dogs in it and now its my favorite guitar. It does the Les Paul thing but has the playability and look of a fender.
Ah good pick for pickups! I still want to use wide range ones for my own 72 deluxe. Lollars I would assume would be my pick.
@@alexradsby Those are really nice. The Fender CuNife's are really good too.
I wish I could try both and A/B test. But I believe that the lollars would suit my needs better for the music I play. 🙂
You need a hollow body guitar. I had an Epiphone 1966 Century reissue that I loved, but it had no cutaway to the higher frets, so I sold it. Now I wish I still had it. It had a great sound for Blues & the playability was great.
Hollow body woulbe interesting but usually they don't deal with distortion that well. I tend to play a lot of things on the heavier side of rock. I think semi-hollow is as far as I would go but I'm definitely willing to try full hollow bodies out. Could be interesting!
I've started selling guitars. I have to many that sound more or less the same (played on the bridge humbucker 90% of the time). For my playing (recording heavy music in my home studio) I've come to the conclusion that I need one high output and one low output humbucker guitar. A semi hollow (preferably p90) for layering and atmospheric sounds and a stratocaster (sss configuration) for THAT wdge of breakup tone plus some sick single coil fuzz-tones.
Ideally you wouldn't need more than 3-4 guitars max so it's definitely a good idea haha 🙂
I currently own only two guitars…Music Man Stingray and Cutlass SSS. I’m constantly wrestling with what guitars I want to own in life…but over the years I’ve become very intentional. Music Man Axis and Gibson ES-335 are FOR SURES and I’m trying to only think about those two. They’ll take a long time to acquire so I try to keep others off my mind lol.
Haha its definitely difficult to decide which guitars really matters! 😅 its a journey! I've definitely made some mistakes selling guitars too that I probably should've kept 😛
I sold a 1960 les Paul standard back in 1995 for $3000. Lol. Wish I had that one back. Nice collection. Tv yellow sg custom is on my radar...
Ooh don't think I've ever seen a tv yellow sg even, nice! 🙂
Interesting clip. For the guitars you "need" I agree, humbuckers and single coil(s). But I have 8, and 7 basses (bass player first). All the basses are project guitars of some sort, all different (one is a 2 or 3 string), and 2 of the guitars are kits. I have one "decent" guitar, a PRS, and all the others are cheap/copies, and all are different so they each have their own reason to stay around. I play them all, but mostly the electrics nowadays. All the guitars and basses are great quality, especially for the prices, and the cost in total would be covered by 1 decent Gibson and 1 decent Fender. Doesn't stop me looking over the fence through, but the Gibson I think I'd like would mean selling all of them...... I look forward to seeing more of your content.
It's difficult to do a move like that for sure. And it's kind of a leap of faith as well. Personally I've landed in the camp of rather owning 1-2 expensive instruments rather than owning a lot. But that's because I've already made my journey of owning a lot of various levels of instruments. It takes time and money to be able to do such a thing and at the end it never made me a better player or songwriter 😅
Two. I have my main one, a Gibson LP and a backup, and upgraded Cort LP.
Ah definitely don't need more than that haha. Which Gibson LP did you go for? 🙂
@@alexradsby Studio cuz it's a lot lighter than the other ones. It's not so hard on your shoulder and back
@@poroto67 Definitely a good pick! I played a studio maybe 2 months back and they are killer guitars, very easy to play. Sounded really punchy too. 👌
i would say 3 even though i have 5. I say three because humbucker, single coil, then last a beater guitar of your choice to work on and mod. Recently i ordered a 2007 squire standard strat for 75$ and honestly it’s my favorite guitar at the moment i feel it plays better than my gibson sg standard and my fender vintera strat just ordered a kh-602 and i’m excited i hope it becomes my new favorite
3 sounds pretty good to be honest! Super cool that the Squier is your new favorite. My new video that will come later today I'll talk about my views on Squier. They are pretty awesome. 🙂
@@alexradsby cool i can’t wait to watch it and squire is great but mainly squire standard when it comes to strats i have an affinity and have had a bullet and they’re pretty eh
The video might not be what you think. I talk about why I personally don't buy squier but I really want to haha. Can't deny how awesome they are at the moment. The vid will be out in 8 hours 🙂
Yes , do a review on your SG . I have one just like it and want your input
I definitely will! I'll try to get it out asap, havin some problems producing content at the moment but I'll get back on the horse as soon as possible. Thanks for your comment man 🙂
I highly recommend fenders usa Wide range reissue pickups for you Tele deluxe. There worlds away from the other "wide range" that comes on most of the Tele deluxe reissue guitars. There not bad pickups, but the real "reissue " pickups, built with original specs are outstanding clean or especially with gain. A little expensive at $200 + but well worth it in my opinion.
Those are definitely on my list to get for sure! 🙂
I have a Tele and a Strat and I could probably get by with just those 2. Interested in a Stingray tho. Lookin' really cool!
I can definitely recommend it. It's one of the best guitars I've ever owned! Svårt att hitta i Sverige bara 🙂 (just assumed you were swedish based on your name 😅)
Ja man kan hitta en del Sterlings men inte många riktiga Music Man. Vill testa den där halsen som alla pratar om ;)
Är du i Stockholm? Du är välkommen att testa dem hos mig om du känner för det 🙂
Keep the Valentine, Stingray, then score a Gibson/SG with P-90's then you have single coil, hb, and p90 tones.... might even want a semi hollow to add to the collection. I'd say 4 guitars!
I do have a Lollar p90's in jazzmaster housing on my Jazzmaster. And I used to own a semi hollow too, a Gibson ES-333 in natural from 2004. Great guitar! I do miss semi hollow guitars though haha.
4 guitars is definitely enough for sure! 🙂
In a similar place. I need to keep 2. I'm most likely keeping 7 (plus my old Ibanez at my parents' place for when I'm in the UK). At one point I think I had 18, currently at 11. I don't bond with the body shape of traditional Strat guitars either - I've sold all 4 of mine in the last 3 years.
Haha yeah it's difficult but I always feel better when I cut down on the amount of gear I have. 😅
@@alexradsby couldn't agree more. I find the more stuff I have around, the less creative I become!
Oh agreed! I'm the same way!
How many guitars? The answer is yes. Each one of them fulfills something my ear and hands are looking for. After that I have no idea
That strat is really cool
Thanks man! I can't really seem to bond with it though. Might just be because its a strat. I'll review it soon enough! 🙂
I was told that the magic formula for that question (yes sorry, I little bit of Math here) is X + 1, where X is your current number of guitars 😁
Haha yes this is usually the right question haha. I'm always eyeing new guitars and thinking about which the next one would be IF i were to buy another one haha 😝
@@alexradsby I do the same, even if I know that right now, I don't have even where to put another guitar... But recently I saw a Q&A with Kiko, from Megadeth, who was the first one I saw saying openly "if you can afford, buy as many as you can, try different things, and you'll find things that inspire you to create ... I have several but is also a matter of playing different genres and different tunings, so it makes sense to me... plus apart from music, design-wise, I think guitars are a beautiful piece of design... BTW, as someone mentioned, great collection you have Alex.
@@dektrimusic I am the exactly the same way. Finding your style & finding your taste is a life long process I feel. A lot of trial and error. It's important to buy & sell the right things as well. I look at used ads almost every day because of it. 😅
@@alexradsby Hey, sorry the late response...Me too, I look at used ads almost all the time... I feel like an addict person .... it's stronger than me....
@@alexradsby And BTW, keep up the good work, awesome content on your channel, and super quality videos. Subed
I believe the universal equation solves the age old question of how many is enough or “X”.
In this case X= current number of guitars owned + 1
Haha I think you're right James for sure! I have 2 new guitars in the pipeline already 😅
me 3,: a strat, a p90 guitar and a humbucker (semi-hollow) guitar, for the music i like playing and the style of playing i enjoy, that is more than enough, obviously an acoustic needs to be there too, but deeeeeeep down, i could do just fine with a strat only but is impossible to just have one, lol
Dude. I feel you haha. Guitarists are doomed to at least have 3. I had 3 until I met my fiancé. She's an enabler. Definitely gonna marry her. 😇😝
Fender Strat US and Gibson lp standard for my 2 fave gtar
Damn, that's not bad! Which finishes are those in? 🙂
After decades of buying and selling and keeping the ones I liked the best I ended up with a strat (warmoth neck and body fender electronics) a tele, a Les Paul and a P90 Godin LG. Also an acoustic OO Simon and Patrick.
Seems like you have everything you'd need for sure? Do you still want anything else?
@@alexradsby Gassing for a semi hollow maybe an Epiphone Casino or 339. Also very curious about the SE John Mayer
Ah very nice options for sure! I'm a sucker for a nice semi hollow as well. The SE John Mayers do look pretty great actually as well! Definitely curious about them as well!
I’ve got a jazzmaster with the same wide-range pickups your tele has and have the exact same issue. It’s a great playing guitar but the pickups just do not do it for me. Trying to decide what to put in it instead and struggling to narrow the list down!
It's definitely difficult. Though I have heard amazing things about the Lollar wide range pickups. Probably can't go wrong with those. Is your jazzmaster a modded one?
@@alexradsby no, it’s a limited run fender released about 10 years ago (I think they called it a select carved top jazzmaster). Is basically a jazzmaster bodywith 2 humbuckers, 1 volume, 1 tone and a coil split. Plays incredibly but the pickups just feel lifeless
Wow that's one beautiful guitar! I googled it haha. I've also heard that the new fender cunife pickups sound amazing too.
@@alexradsby haha yeah it’s great. I got mine used for a crazy low price so that’s how I’m going to justify spending money on new pickups when I eventually decide 😂
I'm all for buying used! It's definitely the way to go!
Great collection. Great thoughts. I also think 2 is minimum. More is luxury. 😉
Oh yes! Im a lucky guy to have full support of my addiction by my fiance haha 😝
Alex I would keep the six I have. I have 2 fender Stratocasters, 2 Telecasters, 1 Gibson Les Paul, & 1 PRS SE Mira. That’s it. I do want another Les Paul but I don’t need it……
Haha yeah i understand that. What Les Paul do you currently own? and which one would you add if you "needed" it? 🙂
@@alexradsby I used to have two Gibson LP Traditionals, a Faded Cherry Gibson LP Studio and a Standard. Got rid of them after a car accident in 2011. Spinal injury. They were all too damn heavy. So this is my first Gibson LP since; I got the Tribute Honey Burst (ultra modern weight relief). But I want a Gibson Goldtop LP and maybe a ES 335 copy from Larry Carlton brand I think it’s called Sire guitars. A lot cheaper than Gibson. But do I really need that many…., I do gig now that we’re getting back to normalcy with the looming pandemic. What about you; any guitar you really want to purchase at this moment?
@@dejuancampbell-music5482 Im actually looking at a very expensive boutique LP style guitar called Krautster II from Nik Huber. Very lightweight. But if I were to buy Gibson, I would probably get a Les Paul Modern maybe, I don't know. I don't deal with the weight that well either haha.
@@alexradsby yeah the weight of 9lbs 13oz or greater is a push for me. Plus not including amps….; would love to see this applied to amplifiers…. 😁
Haha yeah, amps are insanely heavy. Maybe kemper is for you? 😛 it does sound incredible.
Well I have 12,Not too bad ,Ive been playing over40 years I still play my 78 tele It was my 3rd guitar .Ill play all my guitars in two weeks ,At least an hour or two on each ,But yeah If you dont play them dont be a horder,I play more now that im not in a band ,Having more fun,No more cover tunes.
I would love to play actively in a band but time won't allow for it. Its always so nice to hear music being created in a room 🙂 78 tele sounds like a dream!
hey alex, thats an impressive collection you got there. In future, would you consider doing a side- by - side comparison video of the EBMM valentine/ stingray??? now that would be killer......
I've definitely have a video like that in mind! Will look into it soon! I wished someone made a video like that when trying to decide which one of them to buy! Thanks for the input! 🙂
I would keep ultra strat and my SG and flying v sorry couldn't do just 2 to addicted
Haha I know how you feel. Only 2 is difficult 😝
You don't have any acoustics???
In regard to the number of guitars I own -- in my old age I have become cheap buyer because my income is so small: Sterling by Musicman Axis HH butterscotch flame veneer. Has most of the features of a Musicman without the huge price tag - $404, Squire Paranormal Toranado HH got a big chip out of the lower bout that does not effect playability - $220, A Zuwei copy of a Fender Noventa w/ 3 P90's ~$220, A solid body Arkot silent piezo guitar - $160, A 1980s MIJ WMF Mitchell copy of a Martin D-28 bought for $239 right after Guitar Center bought the brand in 1989. For many years this was my main song writing guitar [an eBay ad places its current value at about $900], Zuwei Copy of a 1902 Martin "Slot Head" 00-45 acoustic with a Fishman preamp w/Real Mother of Pearl inlay on the headstock and finger board and bindings - $329, D'Angelico Premier Tammany with preamp - $345.
This stack of guitars totals about $2100 but each guitar listed here has their own unique sound and are probably worth mor than I paid for them.
There's also a 1993 Washburn D17B, A 2001Taylor 414ce and what I believe to be a 1954 Gibson J-50 which has had a rough life but it still has stories to tell. I'm not sure how much the Gibson's worth but I bought it in 1994 for $500. The Taylor is worth about $1000 and I bought the Washburn for $400 in 1994. These three guitars could easily be worth more than all of the ones in the cheap list.
I also bought a Bias Peak Spark Amp [And software] so I have the ability to simulate amps, cabinets, guitars, and effects which save on what those things really will cost in money and space.
Understand I'm not really a guitarist - I'm a lyricist but having so many "unique" instruments to use opens sonic and storytelling horizons.
I do have acoustics, I just forgot them haha. Maybe I should talk about them too, but I have no way of recording them well yet 🙂
This is pretty interesting to me, I always have the discussion about budget friendly instruments and if it's worth buying them in the long run. I am planning a video to talk about it actually because I've always chosen the more mid/high end route but your collection seem to be very well thought out!
Would love to see shots of your guitars!
@@alexradsby I'd like to see that.
Guitars [and music] are a way to express ourselves. Most of us will never ever be paid or recognized for what we do... we'll never be famous. I know a Grammy winner who I went to high school with, I did a production with an actor who played Johnny Cash in a broadway musical about the "$1,000,000 dollar jam session" [Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash]. I had a friend who worked as a guitar player and composer for Disney who called me a "Songwriter's Songwriter". Did that make me rich or famous? Heck no. I've been writing songs for over 50 years and the one thing I've learned is to find joy in what I do and in those times when I perform. All of those guitars on my "cheap list" do just that.
So the instruments we play need not only be "playable" but bring us joy when we play. Even if its just playing for ourselves or playing for others. Have you ever felt that when you were playing? The music sweeps you away to a place that makes you feel awe and joy? That is what it is really about. It does not really matter what the price tag of the instrument is--- if one can't do that then it's time to sell your gear and move on.
Yes I have a pile of fire wood / junk guitars... and ones that will be playable if I invest the time [A 1993 MIM Squire HSS Stratocaster which I just installed locking tuners on. and an Squire Affinity Parts-caster for which I just bought a loaded HSH pickguard] but I'm not really in any hurry to get those put together as I am not at a loss for instruments to play.
The bottom line is not the price tag but the way the instrument makes you feel. I've been pretty lucky in that regards hopefully that will continue.
@@dvusGishzida Thats a beautiful answer. I do feel that, its the thing I look for now. How it feels to pick up and play, thats really all that matters.
I need all the guitars.
Haha that definitely is the way to go! 😅
How many tattoos of flowers and skulls do you really need?
Maybe one more? Isn't that how this works? 😛
Oh man, I am currently wrestling with this very question! So I actually spent the majority of my guitar playing life with only 2 guitars, a LP and a Japanese Strat and then in the last few years I picked up a Revstar, Epi 335, EBMM Stingray & a Valentine.
Since the EBMM's I just can't get them out of my head and now I'm looking at an Albert Lee MM90! I'm keen for something outside of my usual and hope it will inspire some different playing.
So yeah, I'm trying to justify BUT I think I've realised it's not about what I need, it's what I 'want' haha. You have to enjoy yourself with the time you have right!
Haha I've started to have the same mentality as I gotten older. I spent money on the things I want for sure. Ive waited long enough haha 😛 the albert lee guitars looks super cool!
No good acoustic ? Every guitarist needs a good acoustic . Just me but I love to play acoustic for some stuff . But you got some awesome guitars there bro , especially like your telecasters.
Thanks man! I have acoustics, I just don't talk about them. Mainly because I have no good way of recording them yet. My main acoustic is a Martin 000-15m 🙂
Conservatively id say about 365 guitars 366 on a leap year maybe
Haha yes that would awesome!
For me, 42 is minimum.
Haha i can't imagine fitting that many in my tiny little room. Maybe if I owned a house it would work out 🙂
How many? The answer is always yes.
Haha agreed man agreed!
Apparently I have issues😂😂
Of course not man haha 😝 Now I'm curious, how many do you own?
@@alexradsbyTotally 👍🙂 Primarily Bass player, but
2 6 string electric, 2 6 string acoustic (1 is a travel) 9 Basses, 1 is 12 string, 1 is acoustic, rest are 4 string
I do play once a week with my band Jerito Down Low
But mostly playing at home , a few key rigs,
I try to play them all in kinda rotation style. I see them all as useful and works of art in a way
Enjoy your videos Man
Very cool
Lucky 13 is the number, oh shit, I need one more for luck!!
Haha for sure man! That's awesome btw, rotation is key when owning a lot of gear for sure!
@@alexradsbySimilar to you
I keep them out, within reach. A closet of guitars isn't very useful!
Oh that's definitely key. If i had them in cases i would never pick them up. 😅
You need at least 10
You might be correct sir haha 🙂 thanks for commenting man, I appreciate it!
Blasphemy..... How many guitars do you need? Number of guitars you currently have, +1...... Everyone knows that!
Haha this is indeed true. Im already thinking about the next one. You know how it is 😅